Title: Sins of a Father
Chapter 3 – A Sincere Request?
A/N: To those that read and reviewed chapter 2 a sincere thank you. To those that didn't I hope you didn't drop off because you found it boring. I hope you all like this update.
"Danny? Babe, what's going on?" Linda asks Danny as she slowly opens her eyes to see him just sitting upright in bed.
"Ah couldn't sleep. Tough case, you know that triple homicide I told you about."
"Two children, right...sorry," she whispers as she slowly slides up to him in their darkened bedroom, wrapping her arms around his bare chest and pulling him backward into her waiting embrace. "You've faced tough cases before, what about this one still has you awake?"
"It wasn't the case. Maybe it was yesterday; I know Jamie came to see me after work and he was upset."
"What about?"
"Just stuff," Danny sighs as he twists himself in his wife's grasp, his head now resting on the crook of her shoulder so that he was now facing her. "I worry about him…you know being a rookie and all. Just…stuff," he smirks as he leans in closer and plants a warm kiss on the tip of her nose. "Sorry to wake you."
"You sure you're done talkin'?" Linda inquires.
"I am for tonight," Danny huffs as he rolls onto his back, Linda's turn to roll with him and end up lying on his bare chest. "I think tomorrow will be better."
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Just help out around my place…told your father I wanted to sell…help out…interest free loan…
Jamie's mind all night tossed and turned with Don Sommerfield's offer. It wasn't a gift, it was a loan from a family friend to a family member in need. In truth he was already set up with the bank and had everything under control; just didn't have as much financial freedom as he would have wanted. But that was something he knew he'd face after coming out of law school and told himself it would be worth the sacrifice to follow in his father's footsteps.
"Ah damn it," Jamie softly curses as he slowly rolls onto his stomach and buries his face in his pillow. An interest free loan is what all students would dream of especially with the debt load that he had incurred while going to Harvard.
'Anytime you want help with that payment son you let me know.'
So how could he take up the offer of a friend when he wouldn't even entertain that from his own family? But would they have to know? He could make it so that only he and Don knew and make it for say one or two years and that would be it, just to see how things worked in the beginning. Would his father be mad?
Jamie's mind tries to picture his father's response but to no avail; of course his father would be disappointed that he turned to an outsider instead of himself and he wasn't sure he could live with that. He finally pushes himself out of bed and heads for the kitchen, flipping on his TV and letting the drone from the sportscaster fill the space around him. He starts his coffee and then looks at his badge and spare gun on the table; they were almost simple items, but stood for so much in his mind; a proud legacy that he was hoping to earn a small part of.
His thoughts return to Don Sommerfield's offer as he slowly gets ready to head out. Hopefully Danny was able to get some ID on the person who left the note so that his mind would be clear to focus on the day before him. But just before he landed on Danny's doorstep at work, he makes a quick detour to his father's office.
"Jamie," Frank looks up at his youngest with an inviting smile. "Come in."
"Is this a bad time?"
"I always have time for my family. What's going on?"
"The other day at lunch…um Don…"
"Don Sommerfield?"
"Yeah. Well he asked me if I wouldn't mind helping him get his place ready for sale."
"Really? So he's gonna take my advice then," Frank ponders as he leans back in his chair. "Probably for the best."
"It was just to help out…did he ask Danny?"
"No. He's always had a soft spot for you," Frank smiles. "When do you go?"
"I didn't actually agree. Just wasn't sure if I um…should."
"Well helping an old man move a few pieces of yard furniture around shouldn't be too hard."
"Old man," Jamie smirks. "So you think I should?"
"Would be a nice gesture if you want. He's got no one really. I'd volunteer Danny but I know how much he values his weekends to spend with his family, which is probably one of the biggest reasons he didn't include Danny also. Don lives in Westchester, a few hours drive from here."
"Yeah I guess a little bit of fresh air wouldn't kill me right?" Jamie chuckles.
"Might bulk you up a bit more," Frank winks at his son. "I think it's very admirable that you want to help him and I know he'd appreciate it. Just don't get any ideas about moving out to the country."
"Trust me I'd miss the city too much."
"Just the city?" Frank counters and Jamie smiles.
"Alright thanks dad. I gotta run. I have the day off tomorrow so I might head up there tomorrow. I picked up a shift on Friday but was able to get Saturday off for some hoops with the boys."
"Don't forget Nikki."
"She kicks our a…butts," Jamie stammers as he heads for the door. "Sure can tell she's Erin's daughter."
"She's a Reagan," Frank states with pride.
"She's a girl," Jamie dead pans.
"I'll tell Erin you said that," Frank chuckles.
Jamie takes his leave and then heads for Danny, his mind already a bit lighter after talking with his father. He would call Don and say that he would help him free of charge but that his payments were already taken care of and that he didn't want money to factor in.
'Just here to help out but I can't take your money.'
So with one thing settled in his mind, he heads for his brother's desk, not wanting to dig any further into the man that would soon have an impact on his very future. Danny looks up at Jamie approaches and notices that his expression thankfully wasn't the same panicked look he was wearing the day before.
"Glad you're in a good mood."
"Why?"
"Cuz I got bad news," Danny frowns.
"Did you get an ID?" Jamie asks in haste.
"Nope sorry," Danny sighs as he hands Jamie the DNA results. "Guy musta been wearing gloves. There is a faint trace of leather but that's about it. A few other elements but no skin or anything to use for an ID. Back at square one. Did you tell dad?"
"No," Jaime answers as he hovers over Danny's desk, his eyes scanning the rest of the bleak results. "I don't want to worry him just yet. I mean maybe it was a prank or something," Jamie ends on a somewhat hopeful note.
"And if it's not?" Danny arches his brows.
"Look I don't want an escort or anything like that."
"Jamie…"
"I won't be in the city tomorrow so maybe that's a good thing," Jamie frowns as he hands the results back to Danny. "Alright thanks. I guess it's time to…"
"Where you headed tomorrow?"
"I thought I'd help Don Sommerfield get his place ready to sell. He's asked and...well he's got no one and I think I could use the break."
"Okay. I'll let you know if I see anything odd around here. Just don't go into the basement of his place; its scary down there," Danny states in a mocking tone.
"You know that used to work when I was a kid," Jamie rolls his eyes.
"Was? Ya still are," Danny teases his brother. "Seriously, just drive safe okay? Joe's car ain't the most reliable for a long distance haul and I'll keep my eyes open around here."
"I'm taking grandpa's."
"That's worse and the weather is supposed to be stormy tomorrow night."
"Thanks but I'll be fine," Jamie tries to assure his brother, always silently thankful for his watchful eye. "Tell the boys I'll see them on the weekend."
Danny watches his brother leave and then looks back down at the results. Why would anyone want to threaten his brother? Jamie hadn't been involved in anything that would be considered high stakes as of late, nor had he had any kind of altercations that might have someone seeking deathly revenge. It had to be just a prank. But if it wasn't he was still going to keep an eye and see if anyone was hanging around Jamie's locker while he was gone. As much as he found his little brother a source of frustration at times, deep inside he loves him and worries and would kill anyone before he allowed any permanent harm to come to him. Maybe it was good that he was getting away for a day.
"Don Sommerfield…he's still creepy."
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"Jamie joining us tonight?" Henry asks Frank as they both sit down at the table set for three.
"No he has a few things to do tonight pop and then he's heading out to see Don tomorrow."
"Tomorrow? What for?"
"Don's finally selling the place. It's too big for just him; would be different if he had other family to stay with him up there and help out with the yard work and such but he's alone."
"Sam's anniversary is coming up isn't it?"
"Sunday. Always wondered about his death," Frank replies as he takes a sip of his beer. "Anyways it's nice for Jamie."
"Speaking of Jamie…he ever mention anything about his debt load?" Henry inquires.
"Not to me, why? Did he say something to you?" Frank counters.
"Just wondering how he's handling things?"
"You know Jamie, he's as anal about his bank payments as he is about everything else; he'll be okay. I told him I'd help him pay it off but he said he'd do it on his own," Frank huffs. "Stubborn."
"Yeah wonder where he gets his stubborn streak from?" Henry counters with a small laugh.
"You?" Frank arches his brows at his father who only laughs in return.
"He just going for the day tomorrow?"
"Just the day. He'll be fine," Frank states in a low tone as he takes another hearty gulp of his beer. "Will be nice for him to get out of the city. Just glad he's not the country type, I'd miss him too much," Frank looks down at his meal, uttering a heavy sigh.
"Yeah…good thing."
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"Well I am happy to hear you'll be coming tomorrow Jamie. And it's okay about the loan, I just wanted to help."
"Thanks but um…I got that covered. So anything I can bring?"
"Nope, just you; that's more than enough. See you tomorrow son…I mean Jamie," he offers a nervous chuckle.
"Okay goodnight."
Jamie hangs up with Don Sommerfield and then heads for the bathroom to have a shower and turn in for the night. He was glad he told Don that he was okay on his own as far as the loan was concerned but would lend himself for the day with whatever needed to be done. It was usually Don that would come into the city to see his father, sometimes dropping by the house and always leaving fresh flowers for his mother on her gravestone on the anniversary date of her death. But, aside from the time they visited Westchester for the funeral and one other time that his father had visited there, none of them had ever been to Don's actual residence. So this would be a new experience for him.
But as reluctant as Jamie was at first, he was actually looking forward to heading out of the city if even for a few hours, taking in some fresh air and then coming back tired but happy that he was able to help a friend in need. His mind then switches to the ominous note that was left for him and figures that maybe in a few days, the threat will have turned out to be nothing and that would be it.
The drive to Westchester actually was easier than he expected; especially once he left the city limits, just cruisin' on the highway; thankful that it was going to be a sunny day without any rain. There had been rain forecasted for overnight but he hopes it'll hold off until he was done with the outside stuff. He had left earlier so it was still early morning when he was turning onto the lonely road that would lead him to his final destination.
"Very rural," Jamie mutters to himself as he looks at the landscape around him; the dwellings becoming sparser and sparser. He checks his tank of gas, thankful that he had filled up just as he hit the city limits and tells himself that he'll be okay to get back to the city without having to call for help.
For this trip, he had borrowed his grandfather's car; his father insisting he leave Joe's behind for the day as they both know it needs work and might not survive the few hours jarring back and forth. Jamie didn't mind; Henry's car was older but was reliable and he knew his grandfather would get a kick out of driving Joe's car around the city for the day.
Finally arriving, Jamie brings his car to a stop and looks at the large older home before him. It was a modest two story home that definitely needed some work but the yard needed the most caring before it could be put on the market.
"Morning Jamie," Don greets him with an enthusiastic smile as he nears the youngest Reagan. He offers Jamie a warm hug and then pulls back with a grin. "I just made a fresh pot of coffee, do you want some?"
"Would love some. After the long drive, can I um…use your bathroom?"
"Come on, I'll show you around," Don pats Jamie on the back and then directs him toward the old home. "You know you brought good luck with you Jamie my boy, we've only had rain up here all week. So thanks for the sun."
"Figured you it was better to work outside in the sun than the rain," Jamie answers with a smile as he slowly walks up the stairs behind Don. "I hate having to do my shift in the rain. I'd take the snow over the rain most days."
"Yeah rain makes you damp…soaks you through to the bone."
"I heard it could get stormy tonight," Jamie mentions with a slight uneasiness in his tone.
"Ah you'll be safe and sound before then. Here you go, second door on your right," Don points down the narrow hallway. "How do you like your coffee?"
"Cream and sugar, thanks."
"Alright come back when you're done. But here…let me take your coat."
Jamie slowly removes his jacket and hands it to Don and then turns and heads down the hallway. His eyes quickly adjust to the dim lighting; the space around him holding a tinge of must and old wood. After he finishes in the bathroom, Jamie heads back into the hallway, hearing Don in the kitchen and just offering the older man's mutterings a small smile.
Jamie walks past what looks like a small sitting room and stops, peering inside and scanning the room. But just before he pulls his gaze away, his eyes widen as he looks at a picture of himself on the mantle. But only him and no other Reagan's anywhere around.
"Your father gave me that," Don comes up beside Jamie and mentions; startling the youngest Reagan by his sudden presence. "Sorry," Don smirks.
"I just didn't hear you."
"Come on, coffee's on."
Jamie gives the room one last sweeping look, his eyes resting on what he thinks is another small picture of him, but his brain unable to process the picture of the boy in regular clothes as he feels Don's arm on his shoulder directing him back to the kitchen.
"This scones were Carol's recipe…made em special for you but you'll have to forgive if they have a baking powder taste," Don smirks as he and Jamie sit down at the wooden kitchen table.
"I'm sure they'll be fine, thank you. You really didn't have to go through all this trouble."
"Nonsense my boy," Don smiles as he pats Jamie's hand. "Feels good to be sharing this space with someone again."
"Coffee's good," Jamie states after he quickly swallows. His nervousness still hadn't subsided since he saw the eerie photos of himself without any other family members around, but tells himself that Don is a family friend and a lonely old man and he had nothing to be nervous about.
"So Jamie, got a girlfriend?"
"I um…did. She got a great job offer in London and took it," he replies with a soft tone. "But nothing serious right now."
"Ah better to wait for the right one…she'll come along. You come from good stock and all the men in your family were lucky in love, even Joe."
"True," Jamie agrees with a faint smile.
"Alright so had enough?"
"They were…good."
"They were dry," Don counters.
"A little," Jamie smirks as they both stand up. "But I was kinda hungry."
"Well I have lunch already stewing so why don't we head outside and get started; see if we can work up that appetite a bit more."
"Sounds good to me," Jamie agrees as they he takes his jacket from Don and both of them head outside. Jamie turns back to the house, his eyes drifting to the window that he thinks was the room he was just looking into; however, what he failed to see was that window wasn't the same, that window looked into a room that was locked; a room that had just been freshly painted and renovated for a soon to be occupant; a room with a name on the door - Jamie.
A/N: Okay so are you all still liking it? Think Don is on the up and up? What else will Jamie discover? And just what kind of danger is Jamie in? Thoughts would be so much appreciated as you know how they fuel Alice to update faster. Thanks everyone!
